James won Ireland's answer to the Mercury (the Choice Music Prize for 'Song of the Year') and saw his debut EP ('Say Hello') remain on the Irish chart for over 6 months. This rise and development in his home market has gained James sell-out headline dates and wider support tours with the likes of Lianne La Havas, Beth Orton, Kodaline and Marina & The Diamonds.
A snapshot of this ascent, 'Live at Whelans' is a selection of new and old songs performed in the stripped-back environment of a rapturously-received hometown show. The first track to be lifted from it, 'Nervous', is a pin-drop account of a one-sided relationship: from that initial fear of your first meeting to the gradual realisation, by the end of the song, that perhaps they were never who you thought they were (and it's best to forget about them).
James released his eagerly-anticipated debut album, ‘Bitter Pill’ on March 11th 2016 – having already gone Top 5, been certified Platinum and winner of Choice Music Prize’s ‘Song of the Year’ in his native Ireland in 2013 and 2016. Following a sold-out London show at KOKO, support across Spotify (Spotlight Artists for 2016), Radio 1, Virgin Radio, Beats 1 and Radio X, Gavin had an extensive UK tour, European tour, US tour and Australian dates, that featured Shepherd’s Bush Empire on October 7th 2016 in London and 3Arena on December 2016 in Dublin. Gavin has over 150 million total streams on Spotify already and live performances on Late Late Show with James Corden, Jimmy Kimmel Live, BBC One Show and C’est A Vous.
Hole in My Heart
Gavin James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
where your love used to be
I've got no air in my lungs
where I used to breath
I've got a hole in my heart
where your love used to be
And I don't want to close my eyes and fall asleep no
Oh and I don't want to live my life, half awake
Wishing for the words to say
If I asked you to stay just for a little while, just for a little while longer
Would you push me away?
Or would you stay a while, just stay a while with me?
And fix the hole in my heart
Where your love used to be
Oh oh oh oh oh
oh oh oh oh oh
You were the thorn on the rose that I used to hold
You're the light on the match when I'm getting cold
Oh but there's no easy way with to live
When you've taking all I have to give
I pick you up each time you fall when we had to much alcohol
oh oh oh oh
If I asked you to stay just for a little while, just for a little while longer
Would you push me away?
Or would you stay a while, just stay a while with me?
And fix the hole in my heart
Where your love used to be
The words are falling out of my mouth again
Don't you listen to a thing
Oh it's funny how three words they don't mean a thing
When you're not here with me
If I asked you to stay
If I asked you to stay
Won't you please fix the hole in my heart
Where your love used to be
Gavin James's song "Hole in My Heart" is a heartfelt ballad about a lost love. The chorus, in particular, emphasizes the pain he is experiencing from the absence of his former romantic partner. The song starts with him lamenting that he has a hole in his heart where his lover's love used to be. James goes on to explain that he cannot breathe, and he wishes to have his partner back in his life so he no longer has to suffer.
Throughout the song, there are hints of him wanting to make amends with his former partner. Still, there is an air of uncertainty if his partner is willing to reciprocate his feelings. He is fearful of asking her to stay for "just a little while," in case she pushes him away. Despite the heartbreak, he remains hopeful that she will come back to him so that he can fix the hole in his heart where her love once was. The lyrics are relatable to anyone who has gone through a tough breakup and wishes for their lost love back.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got a hole in my heart
I feel incomplete and unsatisfied without your love.
where your love used to be
You used to fill my heart with love and happiness.
I've got no air in my lungs
I feel suffocated and unable to breathe without your presence.
where I used to breathe
Your love used to give me the strength and will to live.
And I don't want to close my eyes and fall asleep no
I don't want to miss you even in my sleep.
'Cos everytime I do I'm only dreaming of you oh
My dreams are filled with memories of you and it's hard to let go.
Oh and I don't want to live my life, half awake
I don't want to function without you or without passion in my life.
Wishing for the words to say
I am lost for words to describe how much I love and need you.
If I asked you to stay just for a little while, just for a little while longer
I want you by my side for a short time to fill the emptiness in my heart.
Would you push me away?
I wonder if you would reject my request or provide comfort and care.
Or would you stay a while, just stay a while with me?
I hope you will choose to stay and show me compassion and love.
And fix the hole in my heart
I need you to restore my heart and make me whole again.
You were the thorn on the rose that I used to hold
You hurt me sometimes, but I loved you deeply and couldn't let go.
You're the light on the match when I'm getting cold
You bring warmth and light to my life when I am feeling down and lost.
Oh but there's no easy way with to live
It's difficult to move on and face life without you.
When you've taking all I have to give
I have given you everything I have and I feel empty.
I pick you up each time you fall when we had to much alcohol
I have been there for you and helped you through tough times even when we were both drunk.
The words are falling out of my mouth again
I can't help but express my feelings for you.
Don't you listen to a thing
You don't understand how much I love and need you.
Oh it's funny how three words they don't mean a thing
I love you, but it's meaningless without you by my side.
When you're not here with me
I feel lost and incomplete without you in my life.
If I asked you to stay
I am pleading with you to stay with me and help me mend my broken heart.
Won't you please fix the hole in my heart
Please restore my heart and show me the love and support that I need.
Where your love used to be
I need you to fill the emptiness in my heart with your love once again.
Contributed by London S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.